Les Oréades 1902

"Les Oréades" (1902) by William Bouguereau is a large-scale painting depicting a scene from Greek mythology. The artwork features a group of Oreads, nymphs of the mountains, leaping into a lake, their bodies forming a cascading arc. Two satyrs, half-goat and half-man, watch the scene from below, their expressions suggestive of both wonder and longing. The painting's meticulous detail and idealized depiction of the human form are characteristic of Bouguereau's Academic style, which dominated French art in the late 19th century. This work reflects the Neoclassical movement, a revival of classical art and philosophy that emphasizes beauty, harmony, and idealism. The painting is often praised for its technical mastery and its evocative depiction of nature's beauty and the power of myth.